KaMhlushwa schools exited about the new Get into Rugby programme

This was evident this past Thursday when members of the initiative held the first of many training workshops in KaMhlushwa at Matsafeni Primary School.

The GIR programme is a global initiative aimed at ensuring that rugby is considered as a worldwide sport by 2016, enough for sevens rugby to be included in the Olympic Games.

“We are particularly excited about the game now being focused on the stages of childhood and athlete development. Recently voices were raised against the attritional nature of the competitive approach to sport at primary school level. With GIR this is a thing of the past. Now, for two months every year, each child, boy or girl, fast or slow, big or small, athletic or not, will have the chance to participate, learn, grow, and thoroughly enjoy themselves in a sport,” said the Pumas’ development officer, Aggrey Mokoena, who is also part of GIR.

Mokoena furthermore explained how the programme made use of stories and safe rugby-related games to teach children values like solidarity, integrity, discipline, passion and respect.

“And it encourages all of them to participate and to have fun, rather than focusing on talent section and winning.”

According to Mokoena, GIR will also encourage healthier lifestyles among all who participate. “We are bringing them a healthy lifestyle with a focus on physical activity based on best practice in long-term athlete development, as well as healthy eating habits. Each child who participates will receive a healthy meal of water, fruit and protein at each blitz tournament. This will boost the energy levels of those who are hungry, while those who grow up on fast food will learn what a healthy meal can do for you,” he said.

Mokoena furthermore said he appreciated the interested shown by the local schools and the newly formed rugby club, KaMhlushwa Black Cats.